Developing a Framework for Campus Landscape Management Planning

• Aleena Sabir, Landscape Architecture, University of Delaware

• James Zimmerman, Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware

This research initiated a long-term project exploring the approach behind campus landscape maintenance planning at the University of Delaware, with a focus on species-specific plant care. The central goal is to provide caretakers and groundkeepers with a tool that streamlines how detailed plant inventories and species needs can inform maintenance strategies. The inventory began with the Grove on the Green, revealing plant concentrations and enabling analysis of maintenance needs across different campus zones. Using the Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities app, an inventory of woody trees, shrubs, and perennials was collected and uploaded into ArcGIS Pro to support ongoing management and planning. While traditional campus maintenance often emphasizes general upkeep, this project shifts attention to the ecological requirements of individual species to promote healthier, more sustainable landscapes. In the short term, it will be used as a management tool to improve efficiency and meet the needs of the health of the landscape. Over time, it will guide UD Facilities in implementing targeted strategies across campus, supporting consistent maintenance standards, and contributing to the long-term success of the university’s landscapes. Overall, this concept is a tool that other institutions use to provide a framework for the staff to make the best decisions on how to maintain the landscape and as a management tool to provide clarity and explanation of the expectations of what the staff is responsible for maintaining.